The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-14
PRESBYTERIAN UNION.
The Committees OF the Northern and South
ern Churches to Hold Conference.

LOUISVILLE, Dec l3.-Committees appointed
by the last general assemblies of the Northern
and Southern Presbyterian Churches will meet
in this city, tomorrow, for the purpose of tax
ing steps looking to a union of the two bodies.
The committees, after joint meeting, will
probably recommend to the respective general
assemblies, at the next regular session, some &C
ton in regard to the matter. The conference is
the result of the harmony of action and opinion
evnced at the last general assem- bles. They were
in session during the same week last May, the
Northern Assembly at Omaha and the Southern
Assembly at st. Louis During the session of
the Northern Assembly the delverauce OF the
two synods of Missouri, of the Southern Church,
upon the spirituality of the church. was adopted
Thereupon the Southern Assembly at once took
cogniance Of the Northern body, and resolutions
were adopted commencing it as step toward
q union of the Northern and Southern churches,
and expressing the opinion that one of the
former obstacles to such union had thus been
removed The resolution further provided
for the appointment OF committee
of four ministers and four ruling
elders, with the moderator of the assembly, to
meet with a similar committee of the Northern
Assembly. If such other committee be appointed
The Southern Assembly instructed its commit
tee to ascertain the facts regarding the pres
ent position of the Northern church on the sub
proposed future position of that body concerning
colored churches, ecclesiastical boards. and any
other subjects now regarded obstacles in the
way of union of the two bodies. The action or
the Southern Assembly being brought to the
notice of that Of the Northern church, similar
committee. likewise composed of four minis
ters four ruling elders and the moderator, was
appointed by the latter body so meet for confer
ence with the Southern Assembly. The COM
nittee from the Northern Assembly in
structed by resolution to confer with the other
committee concerning the whole subject of
ganic union, cooperative union, and every other
relation between the two assemblies" and to
report the result OF the joint conference to the
assembly at it's next meeting. in May. 1855, for
it's approval dsapproval" Louisville was
subsequently agreed upon as the place of meet
ing, and the two committees will accordingly
meet, as stated, tomorrow. The following are
the members of the committee:
Southern Assembly-Revs. M. D. Hoge. Rich
mond, Va; j. r. Wilson. Clarksville; 4. D.
Witherspoon, Louisville; W. F. Junkin Charles
ton Ruling elders, W. NJ McPheeters, II. D.,
ST. Louis; p. Fl. Carter, Abilene, Tex; B. L.
Simpson, Florence, Ala; W. S. Primrose, Ra-
leigh, n. G.
Northern Assembly-Rev. Joseph r. Smith,
Baltimore; David G. Marquis. ST. Louis; E. p.
Humphreys, Louisville; Robert NJ. Patterson,
Chester. Pa; James T. Leftwich, Baltimore.
Warner Van Norden, New York; johnson ii.
Baldwin, Pittsburg; William n Averill, os -tho
Ebenezer Presbytery. Kentucky:
The recent death of Rev. Dr. Huphrey creates
q vacancy in the com mittee from the Northern
Assembly, He would probably have been made
the pre- siding officer of the conference. No
definite action can be taken at the meeting, the
province of the committees being only TO report
and recommend to the general assemblies at the
ensuing annual meeting. 1t is stated that the
conference may last two or three days, and that
the deliberations will be strictly private. ; Only
two Of the commi tteemen have arrived so far.
A union meeting of the Presbyterian churches
questions to be settled will be informalysdis
cussed.